ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Enthusiastic participation of students, young officials and budding scientists during the technical sessions of India International Science Festival
Kolkata, November 7, 2019
On the 3rd day of the India International Science Festival  here today, sessions and symposium on the applied areas of science and technology have been organised. Huge and enthusiastic participation of students, young officials and budding scientists during the programme adds to the excitement of the event.
In a session on Health Research Conclave, discussions range from multitude of topics including Genetic structure, molecular composition in human structure and chemical reactions in genomes, among others. Others sessions included Women Scientists and Entrepreneurs Conclave, Young Scientists Conference, North East Students Conclave and Vigyanika Science Literature Fest. The sessions delved in detail upon the applied areas of science and technology and how to make it easily accessible to the common people. In the session of Women Scientists and Entrepreneurs Conclave, the Secretary of Department of Science and Technology, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma mentioned about the initiatives of the department to promote science and technology among the citizens and particularly among the people in far-flung areas of the country. He expressed optimism at the popularity and importance of the festival with more and more participation involving the students of various institutes in this edition of the Science Festival. Enumerating some examples of how the science and technology projects are providing an enabling environment for the young entrepreneurs and women by empowering them with information and technology base, he emphasised a platform like Science Festival is also an opportunity to talk and learn about new areas of application of technology for betterment of humanity.
In other venues of the IISF, an attempt at creating Guinness Book of Record by students by assembling radio transmitter kit in Science City is another exciting and enthralling event lined up for today’s programme. The excitement among the visitors, particularly the children is palpable with huge participations in each and every programme organised in the IISF.
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Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
MNRE issues advisory for the General Public on PM Kusum Scheme
Alerts beneficiaries not to deposit fee on fraudulent websites
Information regarding eligibility for participation & implementation process available on http://www.mnre.gov.in
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  is implementing PM-KUSUM Scheme, under which subsidy is given for setting up of standalone solar pumpsand for the solarization of agricultural pumps. This scheme is being implemented by the designated departments of the state governments. The beneficiary farmer has to deposit their share to the designated state government department. The details of these departments are available on MNRE website www.mnre.gov.in.
After the launch of the scheme, it was observed that some unauthorised websites have claimed to be the registration portal for PM-KUSUM scheme. Such websites are cheating the general public and collecting money & information from them through these fake registration portals. In order to avoid any loss to the general public, MNRE has earlier issued public notices dated 18.03.2019, 03.06.2020, 10.07.2020, 25.10.2020 and 10.01.2021 in which it was advised not to deposit the registration fee on any such websites and also be cautious from sharing any information on such websites.
On getting information about such websites, action is taken by MNRE. Recently it has been noticed that some new websites are claiming to be the registration portal for PM-KUSUM scheme.In addition, WhatsApp and other means are also being used to mislead potential beneficiaries and asking money from them. Therefore, all potential beneficiaries and general public are again advised to avoid depositing money or information on such fraudulent websites. It is also suggested not to click on any unverified or suspicious link which claims to be registration portal under PM-KUSUM scheme.
Information regarding eligibility for participation in the scheme and implementation process is available on MNRE website http://www.mnre.gov.inand toll free number 1800-180-3333.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardee’s demystification of transformation of glass to crystal can help dispose liquid nuclear waste safely
Glass is a non-crystalline, often transparent amorphous solid which is mostly formed by rapid cooling of its molten form. However, under certain conditions, during its formation, molten glass may rebel and transform to a crystal - the more stable state, an avoidable process called devitrification.
However, the process of devitrification remains poorly understood as this process can be extremely slow, and this makes it difficult to study it. Scientists have now visualized devitrification in an experiment, thus taking a step closer to understanding it. This could help avoid devitrification in processes of pharma industries – a sector in which dodging this is of paramount importance. This is because an amorphous drug dissolves faster than after devitrification,and ensuring that it remains amorphous is therefore essential during storage.
A team of researchers led by Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize recipient in Physical Sciences  category Prof. Rajesh Ganapathy from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology , Government of Indiain collaboration with Prof. Ajay Sood  and their graduate student Ms. DivyaGanapathi  observed glass made of colloidal particles and monitored their dynamics over several days.
Using real-time monitoring of the particles with an optical microscope and machine learning methods to determine subtle structural features hidden in the glass, they identified a parameter called ‘softness’, which determines the extent of devitrification. They found that regions in the glass which had particle clusters with large "softness" values were the ones that crystallized and that "softness" was also sensitive to the crystallization route.
The authors fed their machine learning model pictures a colloidal glass, and the model accurately predicted the regions that crystallized days in advance. The authors suggest that techniques to tune "softness" by introducing impurities may help realize long-lived glass states, which has numerous technological applications. The research published in the journal Nature Physics can also help in vitrification of liquid nuclear waste as a solid in a glass matrix to safely dispose it deep underground and prevent hazardous materials from leaking into the environment
[For more details, Prof. Rajesh Ganapathy's  can be contacted.]
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 406
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage over 177 Crore landmark milestone
More than 25 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 177 Crore landmark milestone  today. More than 25 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 1.98 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10401362
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
9964386
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4151565
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18409122
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17436719
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6153048
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
54603726
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
26533036
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
551493639
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
442377408
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202223323
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
179750438
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126367308
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
111971696
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9534806
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
963498480
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|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
788033683
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|
Precaution Dose
|
|
19839419
|
|
Total
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|
1771371582
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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Date: 25th February, 2022 
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HCWs
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1st Dose
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|
73
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|
2nd Dose
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|
1558
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|
Precaution Dose
|
|
15048
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
133
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
2594
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
23406
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
138935
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
718359
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
153500
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
993174
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
25733
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
217170
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20887
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
132937
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|
Precaution Dose
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|
77313
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
339261
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
2065792
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
115767
|
|
Total
|
|
2520820
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
ACC appointments
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved 30 appointments of officers of Secretary/Joint Secretary equivalent level.
For details, kindly click below:
ACC appointments
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Dr L. Murugan urges citizens to join hands to make India a developed nation in the next 25 years
The Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Dairy & Animal Husbandry Dr L. Murugan has urged the people to join hands and strive hard to make India a developed nation in the next 25 years following the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’.
He said this while addressing the audience at the inauguration of a photo exhibition that is being organised in Namakkal by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Central Bureau of Communication Chennai, highlighting the contribution of unsung heroes of the state in our freedom movement. Dr L. Murugan insisted that when the country celebrates its centenary independence in the year 2047, India should become a role model for the rest of the world. He recalled Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call which highlights that as the next 25 years are considered very crucial for the growth of the nation, every Indian must work hard towards the country’s development.
Mentioning the important steps taken by India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in terms of infrastructure sector including air and rail, the Minister said cities like Trichy and Madurai in Tamilnadu are integrated with other parts of the country through air services. Stating that renowned freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai underwent rigorous punishment by the British for starting his own shipping company, Dr Murugan said following his footstep, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi continues to make India self reliant. He noted that the recent commissioning of INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier and Made in India COVID vaccines will further strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Dr L. Murugan released a book containing selected poems written by Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai. He further interacted with the participants of the Kabaddi match that was organised as part of the event. In addition, the Minister also gave away prizes to the winners of various competitions that were held in school and college level.
Earlier, Dr L. Murugan visited the herbal expo and the special vaccination drive held in as a part of the photo exhibition and also paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Namakkal District Revenue Officer Smt. Mallika, Namakkal Member of Parliament Shri A.K.P. Chinraj, former Member of Parliament Shri K.P. Ramalingam, Additional Director General of Press Information Bureau & Central Bureau of Communication  Shri M. Annadurai, Director of CBC- Tamil nadu, Shri J. Kamaraj participated in the inaugural ceremony.
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Ministry of Civil Aviation
Rs. 24 crores allocated in FY 2021-22 to enhance air connectivity for NER
With the repeal of the Air Corporation Act, 1953, in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation market was deregulated. Consequently, airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type for selecting whatever markets and networks they wish to service and operate across the country. Thus, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and their commercial viability, in compliance with the relevant guidelines in this matter.
Government of India with a view to achieve better connectivity of air transport services of different regions of the country has issued the Route Dispersal Guidelines . Routes have been classified into various categories namely Category -I, II , II-A and III under RDG. There are twenty routes connecting cities directly under Category-I. Routes connecting stations in North-Eastern Region, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands are classified as Category -II. All scheduled operators are required to deploy in Category-II routes at least 10% of their deployed capacity on Category-I routes. Routes within the North-Eastern Region, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Cochin-Agatti-Cochin are classified as Category-II A. All operator are required to deploy at least 1% in Category-II A routes of the capacity, deployed on Category-I routes.
Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Regional Connectivity Scheme  - UDAN  on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand, North Eastern Region of India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands have been included in the Scheme Document as Priority Area. The Scheme document offers more benefits, including Viability Gap Funding  for Priority Area, to interested airline operators for participating in the bids for award of routes.
Further, to enhance air connectivity for NER, budgetary allocation of amount of approximately Rs. 24 crores has been made in the Financial Year 2021-22 to support the airlines.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.  V. K. Singh  in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Communications
India Post team of Mumbai region celebrates Raksha Bandhan with commercial sex workers of Kamathipura
India Post, Mumbai Region organises breast cancer and cervical cancer detection camp
National Flag distribution to commercial sex workers under Har Ghar Tiranga
Mumbai : 11 August 2022
Celebrating the spirit of Raksha Bandhan, India Post, Mumbai Region today organised a breast cancer and cervical cancer detection camp for the commercial sex workers of Kamathipura, Mumbai under campaign ‘Suraksha ka Bandhan, Raksha Bandhan’. India Post, Mumbai Region collaborated with the Cama Hospital, Mumbai in order to conduct thorough medical checkup for the commercial sex workers.
More than 150 commercial sex workers attended the camp at the Agripada Post Office premises. The camp was organised keeping in mind the element of confidentiality and safety of the sex workers. In addition, a Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana camp was held for the girl children of Kamathipura.
Later, team India Post, Mumbai Region, led by Postmaster General, Mumbai Region, Ms Swati Pandey, visited the 14th lane of Kamathipura and tied Rakhees to the commercial sex workers, with the objective to express the bond of love, equality and respect towards them and their children.
India Post, Mumbai Region distributed “tricolors”, the national flags to the houses of the commercial sex workers in order to infuse the feeling of patriotism and integrity towards our motherland on the eve of the 75th Independence Day. The effort under the campaign Har Ghar Tiranaga is aimed at ensuring that the inhabitants feel that they are an integral part of the citizenry and country.
India Post, Mumbai Region has been avidly working for more than one year in order to uplift the social status and include the commercial sex workers into mainstream.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Day-III of National workshop on “Hands on Training on Scholarly Publications
The Research Journals Division of CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research , New Delhi, is conducting one week National workshop on “Hands on Training on Scholarly Publications” during 12th-18th May 2022 sponsored by the Science & Engineering Research Board , Department of Science and Technology , Govt of India, under Accelerate Vigyan Karyashala scheme.
The Karyashala had two Sessions on third day today. In Session V at 10.00-11.00 a.m., eminent researcher Dr. DN Rao, Honorary Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science , Bengaluru delivered quite an informative lecture, “The art of writing review articles”. Prof. Rao has said, to write science one has to first read science intensively. He said, fundamentally, writing a research paper as well as review in science requires clear understanding of the concept/topic, and he stressed upon review of literature for writing quality article, be it a paper or review. He suggested the participants to prepare good review articles on relevant topical themes and submit to journals like ‘Resonance’ that encourage young researchers.
Dr. G Mahesh, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, a scholar in science communication, conducted Session VI, quite a longer one which started around 11.15 a.m. extended till 4.00 p.m. with a 40 minute lunch break in between. Dr Mahesh who had started taking the lead from Prof. Rao’s stress on the importance of review of literature, practically took the participants with him digitally and explained the “Literature collection and Ledger preparation” in a step-by-step manner. He had demonstrated available modern tools and apps for this ‘otherwise difficult task’. Both the sessions today were quite interactive with students asking few questions to the experts.
Shri RS Jayasomu, Chief Scientist & Head, Research Journals  and Senior Scientist Dr NK Prasanna conducted all two sessions of day 3 smoothly. The programme was organized to generate awareness on scholarly communication in science for career growth and to provide young potential researchers an opportunity to develop scientific research skills. The intention behind organizing such a workshop is to provide a platform for researchers to understand the basics of science communication, provide them an opportunity to interact with eminent scholars in the subject, and thereby update their knowledge.
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Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Iceland in the field of Sustainable Fisheries Development
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding  signed between India and Iceland in the field of Fisheries. The MoU was signed on 10th September, 2019.
The salient features of the MoU are:
- Creation of facilities for exchange of scientists and technical experts and their proper placement, especially in areas of estimating Total Allowable Catches in off shore and deep sea areas;
- Provision of training to fisheries professionals from key fisheries institutions in the various management aspects on areas of modern fisheries management and fish processing
- Exchange of scientific literature research findings and other information.
- Exchange of experts / expertise to study the prospects of fishing. Processing and marketing of products from high seas fisheries for entrepreneurship development.
The MoU will strengthen the existing friendly relations between India and Iceland and will enhance consultation and cooperation on Fisheries including consultation on bilateral issues.
Department of Space
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, 135 applications have been received by IN-SPACe from 135 Non-Governmental Entities  in the Space Sector till date
A revised FDI policy in space sector to facilitate overseas investment in NGEs and a National Space Policy are in the process of final approval of the Government.
In 2021-22, an amount of Rs. 175 Crore was generated towards export of launch services, data sales and in-orbit support services and post-launch operations: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today informed that till date, 135 applications have been received by IN-SPACe from 135 Non-Governmental Entities  in the Space Sector.
Dr Jitendra Singh today laid a Statement on the table of the Lok Sabha in reply to a question on Start-Ups in Space and informed that a new Seed fund scheme has been approved by IN-SPACe Board to provide initial financial assistance to Indian space start-ups.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, a revised FDI policy in space sector to facilitate overseas investment in NGEs and a National Space Policy are in the process of final approval of the Government.
On the question of details of total imports and exports carried out in space tech-based industry in the country, the Statement says that during financial year 2021-22, items worth Rs. 2,114 Crore  were imported for executing various projects/ programmes.
The major imported items include EEE components, high strength carbon-fibres, space qualified Solar Cells, Detectors, Optics, Power Amplifiers etc.
During the financial year 2021-22, an amount of Rs. 174.90 Crore was generated towards export of launch services, data sales and in-orbit support services and post-launch operations.
The Statement says that as per the Gazette notification dated 02.10.2021, IN-SPACe has been mandated to promote, enable, authorize and supervise the non-Governmental entities in Space sector in India. IN-SPACe has started authorizing Indian Space companies for utilization of ISRO facilities for the private companies / start-ups, installation of facilities within ISRO campuses, Launch of Satellites and launch vehicles, and Mentorship support. With the announcement of Space Sector reforms, private players have started contributing to the Space economy and their share is increasing.
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